Motor Oil Comparison Tests
Motor Oil Test Results Prove the Best Motor Oil Brand is AMSOIL
AMSOIL Synthetic 10w30 Motor Oil (ATM) and ten competing regular, synthetic blend and full synthetic 10w30 motor oils were subjected to a series of motor oil comparison tests. All six tests were completed in accordance with American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) test procedures, with the results directly indicating the level of protection and performance provided by each of the motor oils tested. Below are descriptions of each of the tests and the motor oil ratings for each of the oils tested.
COMING SOON! AMSOIL has recently reformulated AMSOIL Synthetic 10w30 Motor Oil (ATM) in order to meet the latest industry performance specifications. AMSOIL is currently in the process of testing these upgraded motor oils against the competition. When the test results are in, the Motor Oil Comparison Testing Brochure will be republished and we will post the results on our website. AMSOIL is committed to being first in quality, so you can expect AMSOIL will continue to be the best motor oil brand on the market!
Motor Oils Tested
To be determined.
Motor Oil Tests Prove AMSOIL is the Top Rated Motor Oil
Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake
NOACK Volatility
Pour Point
Total Base Number
Cold Cranking Simulator
Four Ball Wear
Cost Comparison Reveals AMSOIL Saves Money!
Thin-Film Oxygen Uptake Test
Significance
The Thin Film Oxygen Uptake Test (TFOUT) is used to evaluate an engine oil's ability to resist heat and oxygen breakdown when contaminated with oxidized/nitrated fuel, water and soluble metals such as lead, copper, iron, manganese and silicon.
Test Method
A mixture of the test oil and chemistries found in gasoline engine operation (oxidized/nitrated fuel, soluble metals and distilled water) are placed in a test vessel, which is pressurized with oxygen and placed in a heated bath. Anti-oxidant breakdown is evident when the oxygen pressure in the vessel rapidly decreases. At this point, the induction time (break point) of the oil is recorded.
What It Means
Lubricants with high induction times are preferred.
- Resists the formation of engine deposits and sludge, keeping engines running clean and efficient
- Resists thickening, for superior wear protection and maximum fuel efficiency
- Longer oil life, reducing oil changes and saving time and money
Test Results
Coming soon!
NOACK Volatility Test
Significance
The NOACK Volatility Test determines the evaporation loss of lubricants in high temperature service. The more motor oils vaporize, the thicker and heavier they become, contributing to poor circulation, reduced fuel economy and increased oil consumption, wear and emissions. The NOACK provides a basis for estimating the approximate useful life of a lubricant.
Test Method
In the NOACK, a test specimen of oil is heated to 482°F and held at that temperature for one hour. The pre-test weight of the specimen is compared to the post-test weight, and the test oil's percentage of weight loss is determined. The NOACK Volatility Test was developed in Germany and has long been a specification test for European motor oils. Volatility testing became a requirement for North American motor oils in 1992, with the introduction of API SH/ILSAC GF-1 oils. Volatility standards were tightened with the 1996 introduction of API SJ/ILSAC GF-2 oils, which required a weight loss limit of 22%. A maximum of 15% evaporation loss is allowable to meet the current API SM/ILSAC GF-4 specifications.
What It Means
Lubricants with low NOACK scores are preferred; the lower the number, the better the resistance to vaporization. Low NOACK scores indicates an oil that will keep their original protective and performance qualities longer.
- Better oil circulation
- Maximum fuel efficiency
- Reduced oil consumption
- Less deposit formation
- Stable viscosity for low and high temperature wear protection
- Fewer emissions
- Longer oil life, reducing oil changes and saving time and money
Test Results
Coming soon!
In the early 1980s, AMSOIL became the first motor oil manufacturer in the United States to routinely subject its oils to NOACK testing and report the test results. At a time when U.S. oils were not even required to meet any volatility standards, AMSOIL was formulating oils to beat stringent European standards! Now, the future of the motor oil market is being shaped by oil volatility limits. Pour Point Test
Significance
The Pour Point Test determines the lowest temperature at which the oil flows.
What It Means
The lower a lubricant's pour point, the better protection it provides in low-temperature service.
- Engines start easier and faster
- Oil flows quickly to engine parts for critical start-up protection
- Wear is greatly reduced
- Extends equipment life
Test Results
Coming soon!
Total Base Number
Significance
Total Base Number (TBN) is the measurement of a lubricant's reserve alkalinity, which aids in the control of acids formed during the combustion process. Most passenger car motor oils offer only 7 TBN and are formulated with detergents that quickly lose TBN value. With TBN loss, oils lose their ability to neutralize acids, prevent high temperature deposits and inhibit rust. TBN loss is a primary reason oils require changing.
What It Means
The higher a motor oil's TBN, the more effective it is.
- Suspends wear-causing contaminants
- Reduces the corrosive effects of acids
- Longer oil life, reducing oil changes and saving time and money
Test Results
Coming soon!
Cold Cranking Simulator Test
Significance
The Cold Cranking Simulator Test determines the apparent viscosity of lubricants at low temperatures (between -40°F and 32°F) and at high shear rates. (The temperature and shear rate of this test is considered representative of the conditions encountered by car engines cranking in cold temperatures.) The test results are used to assign SAE "W" grades.
What It Means
The lower a lubricant's cold crank viscosity, the easier an engine will turn over in cold temperatures. (Oils that thicken too much in cold temperatures won't allow engines to turn fast enough to start.)
- Reduces drag on moving engine parts
- Allows engines to achieve critical cranking speed in frigid temperatures
- Engines turn over quickly and dependably in the coldest winter temperatures
- Oil flows quickly to engine parts for critical start-up protection
- Wear is greatly reduced
Test Results
Coming soon!
Four-Ball Wear Test
Significance
The Four Ball Wear Test evaluates the wear protection that an engine oil provides.
Test Method
The Four Ball Wear Test puts one rotating ½-inch diameter steel ball against three fixed ½-inch diameter steel balls, which are covered with the test lubricant, under specific conditions of pressure, temperature, revolutions per minute and duration. Wear scars are then measured and averaged; the size of the scar determines the amount of wear protection the lubricant provides.
What It Means
The smaller the wear scar, the better the protection.
- Extends engine life
- Major repairs are often reduced
- Reduced downtime and maintenance expenses
Test Results
Coming soon!
Save Money with AMSOIL!
Significance
The value comparison chart below shows how much money a motorist would spend on each of the oils tested and the number of oil changes required over 25,000 miles. While competing motor oils must be changed up to five times over 25,000 miles, AMSOIL Synthetic 10w30 Motor Oil (ATM) is only changed once.
What It Means
The above tests prove AMSOIL's ability to safely extend oil drain intervals, but the value comparison chart below illustrates what an impact AMSOIL will have on your time and wallet. AMSOIL saves drivers both time and money!
Test Results
Coming soon!
